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CHARACTERIZATION OF EMISSIONS FROM A VARIABLE GASOLINE/METHANOL FUELED CAR
Citation:
Gabele, P. CHARACTERIZATION OF EMISSIONS FROM A VARIABLE GASOLINE/METHANOL FUELED CAR. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/J-90/302 (NTIS PB91146563).
Description:
In response to the occurrence of the increasingly severe ambient ozone exceedances, regional environmental managers are examining the possibility of a cleaner fuel for automobiles. t this time the leading candidate is methanol. n anticipation of a shift to methanol, variable-fueled automobiles capable of operating on gasoline and/or methanol are being developed. his study examines both the exhaust and evaporative emissions from a prototype General Motors Variable Fuel Corsica. esults are reported for tests conducted at temperatures of 40 degrees, 75 degrees, and 90 degrees F, and for fuels MO, M25, M50, M85, and M100. n addition to regulated emissions and fuel economy, emission rates for methanol, aldehydes, and a large number of hydrocarbon compounds were determined. he data indicate that increasing the fuel's methanol content does not affect the exhaust organic emission rate (calculated in accordance with the regulation) from variable - fueled cars, but formaldehyde and methanol comprise increasingly greater portions of the organic material while hydrocarbons comprise less. he effect of ambient temperature on both exhaust and evaporative emissions Is similar to its effect on gasoline cars: rganic and carbon monoxide exhaust emissions increase substantially at the lower temperatures, and evaporative emissions increase steadily with increases in temperature.